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BibleSettings ATS Biennial Israel Study Trip

Guide:  Dr. Bryan Widbin

January 3-16, 2013

Th Jan 3

Leave New York for Tel Aviv

Fri Jan 4

Arrive Tel Aviv, Transfer to Blue Bay Hotel, Netanya.

Sat Jan 5

Orientation in the Land of Honey. Caesarea, Muhraqa, Megiddo, Nazareth, Nain. Our trip begins with a visit to the capital of Roman Palestine in the 1^st century, Caesarea Maritima.  Here Christianity begins with the conversion of Cornelius!  Then we ascend the heights of Mt. Carmel, where Elijah engaged the prophets of Baal and Asherah.  Then we descend to Megiddo, Solomon’s store city, for a look at Canaanite temples, stables and a water system from the days of Ahab.  The valley around Megiddo (Armageddon) furnishes the setting for the world’s final battle.  Finally, on our way to the Sea of Galilee we stop at Nazareth, the boyhood home of our Lord, and at the lower Galilean town of Nain where Jesus raised a widow’s son from the dead.  Then we cut through the rolling hills to the Sea and our stopping place for the next several nights.  Overnight Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar, Sea of Galilee.

Sun Jan 6          

Jesus and Days of Boyhood, Commencement and Distinction. Chorazin, Kursi, Capernaum, Boat Ride. Our day begins considering the context of Jesus’ rearing we look at the years of his public ministry around the sea, beginning at Chorazin and then to the eastern shore of the sea at Kursi, where Jesus cast the demons into the swine.  A highlight is our examination of the remains at his “own city” of Capernaum.  After a  lunch beside the sea, the day climaxes with a boat ride across the sea and a discussion of the importance of the sea at the time of Jesus.  Overnight Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar, Sea of Galilee.

Mon Jan 7

Border Sites and a Time of Exiting:  Dan, Banyas, Damascus Road, Gamla. First, we head north to the city of Dan on the northern border of the kingdom where Jeroboam erected one of his golden calves.  Before lunch we visit Caesarea Philippi and consider Peter’s confession of Christ against this background.  Then it is on to lunch in a Druze village on the Syrian border and a look at the Damascus road where Paul’s life was forever changed.  Finally, we stop on the Golan Heights for a visit at Gamla, where 5000 Zealots stood against the 10^th legion of Rome at the beginning of the Jewish Revolt in the first century AD.  Then we return to the Sea and our kibbutz for the night’s rest.  Overnight Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar, Sea of Galilee.

Tues Jan 8

Transition to the Land of Milk.  Beth Shean, Ma’ayan Harod, Qumran, Jericho. This morning we finish in Galilee with a stop at the capital of Palestina secunda, the amazing remains of the decapolis city of Scythopolis, just down the road from Jesus’ boyhood home.  And then it is on to the small spring in the Harod Valley where Gideon pared down his army at the command of the Lord.  We’ll lunch in Jericho (where Jesus often did!) and then consider the attack of the Israelites under Joshua at the very site where it happened.  A final visit finds us at Qumran and the settlement that produced the Dead Sea scrolls.  A short ride at the end of the day brings us to an oasis along the shore of the Dead Sea for a lovely night’s rest.  Overnight Intercontinental Hotel, Jericho.

Wed Jan 9

Intrigue in the Region of the Dead Sea.  Ein Gedi Hike, Masada, Dead Sea Swim, Sodom and Gomorrah, Camel Trek (3:30) at Kfar Nokdim. We rise very early this morning for hike up the canyon where David hid from Saul.  Then it’s on to the infamous Masada, where fanatical Zealots stood to the last against the regular and mercenary troops of Rome.  After lunch we take a dip in the Dead Sea (over 30% salt!) for a unique experience here and end our day on a height above the Dead Sea for an overlook of the area commanded by Sodom and Gomorrah.  Finally, we board camels for a trek through this beautifully exotic landscape, appreciating desert life and its impact on our lives.  Overnight Inbar Hotel, Arad.

Thurs Jan 10

The Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings:  Arad, Mamshit, Ein Avdat Hike, Makhtesh Ramon. After a hearty breakfast at this southern Israeli town, we visit the nearby Solomon’s fortress of Arad where the soldiers of Judah protected the southeastern flank of the kingdom.  Here there is found the only existing Israelite temple from the days of the monarchy.  Then it’s on to the Wilderness of Zin and visit to the Nabatean outpost of Mampsis where caravans stopped during the days of Jesus.  Finally, we head south for an unforgettable hike up a “valley of death shadows” and a consideration of Psalm 23 from within its setting.  Finally, we stop near Kadesh Barnea at the “grand canyon of Israel” to survey the Zin and Paran deserts, home to the invading Israelites for a 40-year shepherding hiatus.  And then we’ll be ready for a night’s rest in the desert mining town of Mizpeh Ramon.  Overnight Ramon Inn, Mizpeh Ramon.

Fri Jan 11

Patriarchs, Judges and Philistine Wars:  Beersheva, Lachish, Azekah, Beth Shemesh. The day begins early at the Crater for a time of worship.  Then we head north again for the Negev and a visit to Beersheva, the southernmost city in Judah and city of Abraham.  Then after lunch, we keep our northern track for the lowlands for an afternoon with David, Goliath, Samson and other heroes of Israel.  Lachish, the star city of the Judean defense of the hill country, gives opportunity for picturing the assault of Sennacherib’s army against Hezekiah’s Jerusalem during the days of the prophet Isaiah.  Then it is on to Azekah, the setting for David’s slaying of Goliath.  Finally, we stop at Beth Shemesh, below the fortress of Zorah where Samson was born.  Here we discuss this tragic hero and the return of the ark of the covenant to Israel.  On our way to Jerusalem we stop at Bethlehem for a brief visit and shopping opportunity.  Overnight Ritz Hotel, Jerusalem.

Sat Jan 12

FREE DAY. A welcome break after our journeys to begin to get acquainted with the Holy City.  We’ll do an overview session in the morning and introduce you to the layout of the city highlighting some possibilities for spending your free day.  Overnight Ritz Hotel, Jerusalem.

Sun Jan 13

Jerusalem:  City of David, Southern Wall Excavations, Hezekiah’s Development, the Jewish Quarter. Today we explore. the development of Jerusalem throughout the biblical period.  We begin at the hill conquered by David from the Jebusites and then visit the western retaining wall of Herod’s temple, fully laying out the temple square delineated by Solomon.  This visit includes a time on the southern staircase of the temple mount where Jesus preached and taught during his last week.  After lunch in the upper city, we’ll visit with an orthodox Jew to get a better feel for his faith and for the importance of Jerusalem to Judaism, then look at remains of Hezekiah’s development of the city on the western hill.  Our final stop examines Herod’s fortified palatial estate at the Citadel overlooking the valley of Hinnom.  Overnight Ritz Hotel, Jerusalem.

Mon Jan 14

The Birth of Jesus and the Jerusalem of Jesus’ Day:  Israel Museum, Wohl Archaeological Museum, Bethlehem. Our day begins with a visit to the Israel Museum where we see a model of Jerusalem from the days of Jesus.  This stop also includes a visit to the Shrine of the Book where many of the dead sea scrolls are stored.  Then we motor to the Old City where we visit the dwellings of the Saducees 10 feet below the present day level of the city.  This experience is important for tomorrow’s consideration of the Last Supper occasions and the Jewish trials of Passion Week.  Before lunch it’s on to Bethlehem and a discussion of the events of Jesus’ birth from the area of the town where Jesus was born.  Overnight Ritz Hotel, Jerusalem.

Tues Jan 15

Passion Week and Jesus Finishes His Ministry on Earth:  Mount of Olives, Dominus Flevit Church, Gethsemane, St. Peter in Gallicantu, the Citadel, Holy Sepulchre. We start the day with a panorama of the eastern side of the city, then visit the events of Jesus’ weeping over the city as well as his passion in the Garden of Gethsemane. A most memorable stop follows at the house of Caiaphas and a discussion of the Jewish and Roman trials of Jesus.  After lunch we visit the site of the Roman trials by Pontius Pilate at the Citadel and then walk with Jesus to the place of his crucifixion.  There we consider the meaning of the resurrection for early Christians and ourselves.  This evening we’ll gather in a chapel at the lovely St. George Cathedral for a final evening of reflection, prayer, and sharing.  We will have our last night gala dinner. After dinner we will leave for the airport. Check in for our night flight to home.

Wed Jan 16

Arrive New York.

This trip is an "original," designed for those who want to reach the profoundest levels of impact of the environment and cultures of the biblical peoples upon the Bible.   We do this trip especially for students, both current and life-long, running it only once every two years.  It is simply the most complete excursion we offer out of BibleSettings with full exposure to all regions of the land, especially the desert, with course/site materials included.  It will be awhile before we offer it again.  Don't miss it.

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